RSCH09025 2022 Social Work Research Project

Demonstrate skills to assess the effectiveness of any research approach identified (Domain 1:1,1.4, 1.9, 1.10, 1.14; Domain 3.3, 3.9, 3.12, 3.13; Domain 4.5; Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.13, 5.14, 5.16, 5.21, 5.22, 5.24, 5.25)

Critique available literature on a chosen topic and draw inferences from this body of knowledge (Domain 1.1, 1.4, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.14; Domain 3.9, 3.13; Domain 4.2, 4.4; Domain 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.21, 5.22, 5.24, 5.25)

Apply a range of standard and specialised research tools and techniques of enquiry (Domain 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.14; Domain 3.3, 3.5, 3.10, 3.12, 3.13; Domain 4.1, 4.2, 4.3; Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.14, 5.21, 5.23, 5.25, 5.26, 5.27)

Carry out research in an ethical manner (Domain 1.1, 1.7, 1.8, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.17, 1.19; Domain 2.7, 2.8, 2.15; Domain 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13; Domain 4.2, 4.4, 4.5; Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.19, 5.21, 5.22, 5.23, 5.24, 5.25, 5.26, 5.27)

Argue to the validity of the process, and outcome of the research undertaken. (Domain 1.1, 1.10; Domain 2.6; Domain 3.3, 3.5, 3.13; Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.20, 5.21, 5.22, 5.23, 5.24, 5.25)

Produce a research project in a format appropriate to a level 9 award (Domain 1.1, 1.4, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.12, 1.14, 1.19; Domain 2.6, 2.7, 2.8; Domain 3.3, 3.5, 3.9, 3.13; Domain 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5; Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.19, 5.20, 5.21, 5.22, 5.23 5.24, 5.25, 5.27)

Students will avail of one to one supervision with a designated supervisor. This will involve 1-to-1, one-hour weekly meetings. The manner in which is organised and delivered will be negotiated between the student and supervisor.

Supervision will provide support, guidance and ongoing review and feedback of work under development and therefore attendance and participation in this supervision is a key requirement of this project.

This research project will be assessed both verbally and with a written submission.

Students in their oral presentation will be expected to defend their research project and process to an audience of their peers.

Written submission can either be a 10,000-word traditional thesis, alternatively, students can decide to develop a paper for submission for peer-reviewed publication. The student must have targeted a specific journal and have considered the journal requirements and produced work to this requirement.

The project must adhere to the guidance of IT Sligo`s Research Ethics Policy and the related Research Ethics Procedure.

This module's assessment facilitates the assessment of CORU standards and proficiencies as follows:

Written submission: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.16, 1.17, 1.19; Domain 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.10, 2.15; Domain 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 3.13; Domain 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5; Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.19, 5.21, 5.22, 5.24, 5.25, 5.26.

Oral Presentation: Domain 1.1, 1.5, 1.10, 1.12, 1.13, 1.17, 1.18; Domain 2.6, 2.9; Domain 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.13; Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.14, 5.16, 5.20, 5.21, 5.22, 5.24, 5.25.

Repeat requirements will be decided at Exam Boards but will be most likely consist of both oral and written componetns. As per Marks and Standards, any repeat submission will be capped at 50%.

LO1 Demonstrate skills to assess the effectiveness of any research approach identified.

Students will demonstrate and defend why they have chosen a particular topic, research process and format.

LO2 Critique available literature on a chosen topic and draw inferences from this body of knowledge.

Students are expected to critically review the key literature relevant to the field and inform the topic undertaken. They are expected to demonstrate forms of knowledge and how different knowledge can influence the format of the information presented e.g. policy documents, legislative documents, and peer-review publications, whilst not ignoring the importance of different sources to a research area. They are expected to present and argue literature that clearly demonstrates increased knowledge and expertise in their fields, and where appropriate informs the development of further stages of empirical work.

LO3 Demonstrate a range of standard and specialised research tools and techniques of enquiry.

Methods, tools and techniques are dependent on the project but must demonstrate clear relevancy to the research topic chosen. Students must be able to gather data, analyse and evaluate data appropriately and discuss the findings from their project in the context of the literature within their specific field.

LO4 Carry out research in an ethical manner.

In adherence to IT Sligo’s Code of Practice for the Quality Assurance of Postgraduate Research students must ensure ethical practice in all stages of the research process.

LO5 Argue to the validity of the process, and outcome of the research undertaken.

Students are expected to be able to defend the authenticity and quality of the research process and outcomes of their project.

LO6 Produce a research project in a format appropriate to level 9 award.

Students completed work will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competency that are required for a level nine award. It will be presented and published in a manner appropriate to this award level e.g. coherent, logical, readable.

A viva voce will be undertaken by the student, allowing them to reflect, present and defend their work to examiners. Students must demonstrate a thorough understanding of all aspects of their research project which allows questions to be answered accurately and fluently and the discussion to be extended with confidence into familiar and unfamiliar areas.